Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/393046
BY ANDREW OWENS D emetrius Jackson spent his freshman year of college just miles away from home, but the experience felt much further away than that from his playing days at Marian High School in Mishawaka, Ind., when the four-star recruit was named a McDonald's All-American and committed to play at nearby Notre Dame. From start to finish, year one with the Irish did not go as planned for Jackson. In 30 games, 18 of which came after guard Jerian Grant's sus- pension, Jackson averaged 6.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.5 was much lower than what Notre Dame has become accustomed to with point guards during head coach Mike Brey's tenure. In Eric Atkins' four-year career — three of which he spent as the start- ing point guard — he boasted a 2.37 as- sist-to-turnover ratio, annually among the ACC's best. On top of the on-court struggles, Jackson's academic issues required a two-game respite from action while he focused on his studies. With that season behind him, the sophomore believes he will benefit from the year of added maturity. Now that Atkins has departed and it's Jackson's offense to run, the Irish need that to be the case. "It was tough," Jackson said. "It was an adjustment that I don't know if I was prepared the best for. Last year helped me a lot. I feel much better. I feel happy. I feel more comfortable. I feel closer to my teammates, and I'm having more fun for sure." Notre Dame figures to have more fun this season after stumbling to a 15-17 (6-12 ACC) finish, the program's first losing season since 1998-99. Grant is back from his suspension, and swing- man Pat Connaughton will play his se- nior year with the Irish despite signing a professional contract with the Balti- more Orioles during the summer. In- terestingly, Brey puts sophomore guard Steve Vasturia, not Jackson, in the group with that duo as critical players. LESSONS LEARNED Point guard Demetrius Jackson is ready to move past a disappointing freshman year